In Ukraine, the number of deaths exceeded the number of births by four times

In the first half of 2026, the number of deaths in the territory controlled by Ukraine exceeded the number of births by four times. One of the reasons for this gap remains the war, which is causing Ukrainians to postpone having children or go abroad.

This was reported by Hromadske Radio with reference to demographer, leading researcher at the Mykhailo Ptukha Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Research of the NAS of Ukraine, Svitlana Aksyonova.

According to her, the demographic situation in Ukraine remains difficult. At the same time, in some regions, a similar ratio between the number of deaths and births was also recorded in 2024 and 2025.

Aksyonova suggests that the statistics are also affected by the departure of pregnant Ukrainian women abroad. Some women decide to give birth in safer conditions because of the war, so such children do not appear in Ukrainian birth statistics.

The demographer also explained that population decline itself leads to a decrease in the number of births.

At the same time, the birth rate may increase after the war in Ukraine ends. According to Aksyonova, during times of war, economic crisis, or other serious upheavals, people often postpone having children until a safer period.

“I still hope that after the war is over we will have some increase in the birth rate. I am really looking forward to it,” she said.

The expert called security the main factor currently influencing Ukrainians’ decision to have children. At the same time, the financial situation of the family, housing conditions, the ability to combine work with raising a child, health status, and relationships between partners are also important.

At the same time, the war affects families differently. Some Ukrainians postpone having children, while others, on the contrary, decide not to wait for the end of hostilities.

According to Aksyonova, the state should not simply stimulate birth rates with payments, but create conditions under which Ukrainian families can have as many children as they want.

According to her, families with young children and Ukrainians who are expecting a child and remain in the country need special support right now.